Foundation garment



c. R. GLINES FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed March 17, 1945 luvs/v10)? mm Imam/v 64mm ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 20, 1946 FOUNDATION GARBIENT Carl Redman Glines, Hamden, Conn, assignor to Charis Corporation, a corporation of New York Application March 17, 1945, Serial No. 583,241

1 Claim.

a narrow base section and terminating in a narrow band extension integral with the panel itself and having parallel sides. The tapering sidesof the center panel and the corresponding portions of the adjacent panels are disposed so that when the panels are stitched together the tapered seams are adapted substantially to follow the groin lines of the wearer with the band extension fitting across the crotch area, The leg members are formed by stitching together portions of the base edges of the panels of the front and back sections (including the entire base edge of the center front panel) along a common slightly arcuate line determined by the base edge of the center panel of the front section.

Preferably, the panels of the back section are joined longitudinally so that when portions of the base edges of the front and back panels are stitched together the longitudinal seam of the back section is centrally disposed and meets the arcuate seam at a point within the base edge of the narrow band extension.

In adjusting this garment the wearer quit naturally grips the top edge of the front section and pulls upwardly and outwardly along the lines formed by the tapered seams of the front section. In this manner the force applied to the garment is applied perpendicularly to the stitching across the seams and is distributed along the entire length of the tapered seams, Such a construction obviates distortion in the shape of the garment and, by distributing the stress along the length of the scam, the stitching is not put under too great a strain in a restricted area.

In adjusting the garment the wearer may readily obtain a snug fitting adjustment, particularl in the crotch area, by gripping the top edges of the front of the garment and pulling upwardly and outwardly substantially simultaneously along the lines of the tapered seams, The resultant force, directed almost wholly on the narrow band extension, provides immediate and effective ad justment of the garment in position.

Where there isrelative movement of the panel members, particularly in sitting and walking, the band extension provides a hinged effect along each lengthwise seam: each of the leg members is then free to move relative to the band extension. By reason of this construction the garment is anchored on the body in such a manner as not to interfere with body action, nor will it ride up on the figure to create discomfort, especially between the thighs in the crotch area, Accordingly, the garment fits snugly at all times without pulling.

The fabric panel members may be made with either elastic or inelastic cloth or knit material; and the garment may consist entirely of panels of such elastic or inelastic material or may combine both types of material. Similarly, the garment may be either boned or not boned; and. may be worn with or without garters.

In the accompanying drawin a specific embodiment of this invention is shown, and, of course, variations in the construction may be made within the concept of the invention. In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a front view of the foundation garment; Fig, 2 is a back View; Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 is a front view illustrating the garment disposed in sitting position.

The front section Ill is shown consisting of a longitudinally tapered center panel I 2 with two adjacent outer panels M and I6. The band extension I8 having-parallel sides l9 and 2| is shown in Fig.4 and as may be seen the base edge 20 of the band extension determines the slightly arcuate line 29 along which portions of the base edges of panels 14 and 16 are joined to the corresponding portions of the base edges of the back panels. The parallel sides l9 and 2| of the band extension I8 are of the same length (determined by the size of the garment) to provide equal hinge action along both sides of the crotch and to permit the body of the wearer to sit properly in the garment.

The two elastic side panels 22 and 24 are intermediate the front and back sections and ordinarily their base edges 23 and 25 are unattached. As can be seen from the drawing, the openings of the leg members 35 and 38 are formed by the unattached base portions of the front, side, and back panel members and are of sufficient length to enclose the thighs and give the garment proper purchase on the body.

The back section consists, in this case, of two back panels 25 and 28. In Fig. 4 the central longitudinal seam 2! of back panels 26 and. 28 is shown disposed so that this seam meets the arcu- '3 ate seam 29 on the base edge of the band extension at a point intermediate the parallel sides l9 and 2|. Such construction eliminates crowding of the seams and permits the hinged effect along the sides 19 and 2| freely to take place when there is relative movement between the members. A zipper opening EA is provided longitudinally along one of the front panels and garter supports.

3? may be provided as shown; I V WhatIclaim is:

4 row base portion terminating in a narrow'band extension having parallel sides of equal length integral therewith and aligned with the center line of the converging panels and adapted to fit across the crotch area, the base edge of said band extension being joined to the base end of the back panel members, the tapered sides of the center front panel when stitched .to the corresponding sides of the adjacent panels forming seamswhich are disposed so as substantially to follow the roin lines of the wearer of the garment whereby force applied upwardly and outwardly at the top of "i said seams is applied perpendicularly to the r stitching of. said seams and is distributed along substantially the entire length of said seams, the parallel seams of the band extension being adaptedrto act as hinge' members to obviate pulling the ,center panel of which has a relatively wide top edge with sides tapering longitudinally along "straight lines from the wide top edge'tofalnar of the garment when there is relative movement "between such panel members. 20

' CARL REDMAN unfire. 

